About JMRL

Library History

Public libraries in Central Virginia have a rich heritage derived from the private libraries of leading forefathers– Jefferson, Monroe and Madison, who each had extensive personal libraries for their time. Jefferson’s famous quotation, “I cannot live without books,” continues to influence the support for libraries worldwide.

Public library service in this area has roots from the public subscription library established in 1823, called the
Albemarle Library Society located on Court Square in Charlottesville. The library was incorporated by an act
of the Virginia General Assembly as the Albemarle Library.

Jefferson probably made substantial contributions to this library as some
books once owned by it are now in the University of Virginia’s Alderman Library.
The Albemarle Library preceded the opening of the University and operated
until 1834. Throughout the 19th century, other libraries in Charlottesville
and Albemarle County were established and maintained by private clubs and
other groups. One of the most noteworthy was the Lyceum, incorporated in
1837. Lyceum was later joined by the National Society of Literature and Sciences,
the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society of the University of Virginia
and continued to operate throughout the 1850’s but closed it’s doors during
the Civil War. The Young Men’s Christian Association was established in 1858
at the University and in downtown Charlottesville in 1872. Both branches
featured a reading room and library. The downtown branch probably had the
former collection of the Lyceum at the core of their holdings. Lesser known
private libraries include the Belmont Farmer’s Club, Friends’ Circulating
Library, the Women’s Exchange and the Blue Ridge Club.

In 1919, local philanthropist, Paul Goodloe McIntire, offered the community
the gift of a library, an offer the Charlottesville City Council promptly
accepted. McIntire’s gift included land, design, construction of the building,
furnishings and the collection of books. Opening to the public in 1921, the
McIntire, or the Charlottesville Public Library, became the community’s first
public municipal library.

In 1934, the first branch library was funded by the City–the Colored Branch
Library at Jefferson School. This library operated until 1948, when the libraries
were integrated. Albemarle County joined the City in funding
Bookmobile
service in 1946 and opened branches in
Scottsville in 1960 and
Crozet in 1964.
Gordon Avenue Branch was
built jointly by the City and Albemarle County and opened in 1966. In 1996 Gordon Avenue Branch
added a major African-American collection.

The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library developed following General Assembly formation of regional
public library systems. The Commonwealth provided the establishment of grants and financial
incentives for larger, more cost effective units of public library service. The City and Albemarle
County joined with Greene,
Louisa and
Nelson counties to form Jefferson-Madison Regional Library in 1972,
following successful bookmobile demonstration projects.

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library grew rapidly. In the late 1970’s, Albemarle County and
the City purchased the former Post Office and Federal Building on Market Street and renovated the
building extensively for regional library headquarters and expanded services, moving the collection
from the McIntire Library next door. During this same time period, Scottsville Branch
suffered a fire and their present library was opened in 1981. In 1979, Louisa County moved into a
former Girl Scout building. Crozet Branch moved into a renovated train station in 1984. Nelson
County built a new branch - a memorial to the victims of Hurricane Camille - in 1988.
Northside Branch, in Albemarle Square, was opened in 1991 by Albemarle
County. Greene County added a new children’s room in 1993. The Albemarle County Historical
Society Library opened in 1974 at 220 Court Square. The library’s collection was consolidated
in 1987 with those of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and the Central Virginia
Genealogical Association, to form the Charlottesville-Albemarle Historical Collection. The collection
is housed in the former McIntire Library, extensively restored and renovated in 1994, and is a
branch jointly operated with the Historical Society.

In 1999, Louisa County Library moved into a new library building of 15,000 square feet, located between Louisa and Mineral.
In 2003, Greene County Library moved into a new library building of 8,000 square feet, in Stanardsville.

Today, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library serves a population of 195,000 residents, with nine locations and
Bookmobile services to rural Albemarle County and institutions. With combined holdings of over 500,000 items, the
library circulates over 1,600,000 items annually.

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library entered the high tech information age aggressively with the implementation of automated
circulation system and on-line public access catalog in 1987. To further integrate technology into the library system, the
Central Library was again renovated in 1995 and the opening of a public access computer lab for internet access and the
development and implementation of a community information service, Monticello Avenue, were initiated. In 2002, the library
upgraded the catalog and circulation system to provide state-of-the-art online digital services.

The remaking of the library website in 2004, enabled JMRL to have a virtual library with access to over 35 databases that
are accessible in the library as well as using remote access. The online databases that the library subscribes to,
provide access to newspapers, magazines, and a wide range of electronic resources. The Library subscribes to these
databases for a fee and then they are available for free to our patrons.

We like to think our forefathers would look kindly towards the connectivity we are building in our region, to take advantage of the wealth of library and information resources.

Jobs at JMRL

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library utilizes the City of Charlottesville Human Resources when posting or advertising
all library positions that are available to the public. Please see the City’s
JOBS BOARD for information about available
library positions. The City also advertises in The Daily Progress and includes library positions that
are available. Please note that in addition to the City advertisements, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library may also
decide to advertise any available library positions for the outlying counties for Greene County in the
Greene County Record, for Louisa County in The Central Virginian, and for
Nelson County in the Nelson County Times.

Library Director

Board of Trustees

Library Trustees are appointed by elected officials to set library policies, adopt official budget recommendations, and develop long range plans for library development. Residents are welcome to share ideas with Library Trustees and to attend monthly Library Board meetings.

The Board of Trustees of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library usually meets on the 4th Monday
of the month at 1:00 pm. Meetings are generally in the Jefferson Room at the Central Library. Dates and Minutes of the Board are below.